Brake valve device



June 22, 1937. I c c FARMER 2,084,675

BRAKE VALVE DEVICE Filed June 25, 1935 Fig! Ill

Fig. 2 22 FULL RELEASE 70 67 a5 EMERGENCY" i HERV/CE ZONE+K%L INVENTOR 8O CLYDE c. FARMER ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1937 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRAKE VALVE DEVICE Application June 25, 1935, Serial No. 28,299

9 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid pressure brakmg apparatus, and more particularly to a brake valve device of the self lapping type.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide fluid pressure brake equipment employing a triple valve structure adapted to effect a graduated release ot the brakes by releasing fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder in accordance with the extent to which the brake pipe pressure is increased.

With a fluid pressure brake of the above type, because of the sensitivity of the triple valve to relatively light Variations in brake pipe pressure, it is desirable that the engineers brake valve device be adapted to maintain the brake pipe pressure against undesired reductions in brake pipe pressure such as might be caused by brake pipe leakage, and that said brake valve device be capable of accurately increasing brake pipe pressure in the desired stages, in effecting a graduated release of the brakes, in response to proper manipulation of the brake valve handle.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a brake Valve device fulfilling the above requirements.

Another object of my invention is to provide a brake valve device adapted to effect a reduction or increase in brake pipe pressure to a predetermined degree according to the position to which the brake valve handle is moved, and operative to maintain that degree of brake pipe pressure against leakage of fluid from the brake pipe.

Another object of my invention is to provide a brake valve device by means of which the j application and release of fluid pressure brakes of the above type may be easily and accurately graduated, and which is also adapted to be operated, if necessary, in connection with the more Widely used freight brake equipment not embodying a graduated release feature.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following more detailed description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing; Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional View of a brake valve device embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View showing a development of the cam contours of the cams shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawing, the brake valve device comprises a casing section 5 mounted on a pipe bracket 6, a regulating portion 1, and a valve portion 8.

Contained in the valve portion 8 of the brake valve device is a relay valve mechanism which comprises an equalizing piston H having at one side a chamber [2 and at the other side a chamber l3, which is in constant communication through an opening [4 with a central pressure 5 chamber E5 in the casing section 5. The application piston is provided with a baiile piston it which is slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the casing and is disposed between the chamber l2 and a. valve chamber 20. The valve 10 chamber is connected through a passage and pipe 2! with a brake pipe 22, said passage being connected to the chamber l2 through a restricted passage 23.

The equalizing piston H is provided with a 15 stem 24 extending into valve chamber 20, which contains a brake pipe discharge valve 25 adapted to be operated by engagement with one or the other of shoulders 26 formed on said stem. The discharge valve 25 has a position in which 20 a port 28 in said valve is adapted to connect the chamber 20 through a passage 29 and a passage 39 in choke plug 40 to atmosphere. A perforate member 21 is provided on the end of the stem 24 for guiding said stem, and is adapted 25 to operate a supply valve device contained in a member 3| which is secured to the casing of the valve portion 8.

The supply valve device comprises a valve piston 30 slidably mounted in a cy de 32 30 formed in member 3|, said piston and cylinder defining a chamber 33, connected through a passage and pipe 42 to a main reservoir 43, and a chamber 34, which is connected through a choked passage 36 with said chamber 33. A spring 38 is disposed in chamber 34 between the valve piston and a cap nut 4|, for urging said valve piston into engagement with a seat rib 3T. Disposed within the valve piston is a pilot valve H5, which is urged toward a seat 40 H6 by a spring H1. The pilot valve has a grooved stem H8 projecting beyond valve piston 30 into valve chamber 20.

The regulating portion 1 comprises a selflapping valve mechanism adapted to control the 45 pressure of fluid in the chamber i5 acting on the equalizing piston H. An inlet Valve 45 is provided in a valve chamber 46, which is in constant communication through a passage and pipe 41 with a volume reservoir 48, which in 5 turn is connected to the supply port of a feed valve device 5! of the usual construction, the intake port of said device being connected to the main reservoir 43. The inlet valve 45 has .a fluted stem 52 slidably mounted in a bore in 55 the portion 7 and extending into the chamber i5 where a cap member 49 is fitted to the end of said stem. A spring 53 is disposed between the inlet valve and a cap nut 5 for urging said valve toward a seat 55 formed on the wall of chamber 46.

Slidably mounted in a piston bore in the regulating portion 'i is a piston 56, which is exposed on the inner side to chamber is and has on the opposite side a chamber 5?, open to atmosphere through a passage 53. A metering spring 59 contained in chamber 5? is disposed between the piston and an adjusting member 60 which has screw-threaded connection with the portion '5, and a stem 6! on said piston is adapted to engage a stop member 62 for limiting outward movement of said piston. The piston 56 has an interior valve chamber 64 open to chamber 55 through a passage 65, and carries therein a vent valve 66, which is adapted to engage a seat 63 formed on the piston for controlling communication between said valve chamber and a passage BBleading to chamber 51. The vent valve 66 has a stem 14 extendinginto the chamber l5, and a spring H. is fitted'between the piston 55 and a collar 12 on said stem for urging said valve from the seat 63.

diate its ends, to a plunger '55, one end of which is mounted to slide in a suitable bore in the portion I. The lever 13 carries at one end a roller '16 which operatively engages the cap member 49 of the inlet valve stem 52, and has at the opposite end a roller TI which operatively engages the end of the stem 14 of the vent valve 66.

A cam member 19 is provided in chamber l5 having a cam'face adapted operatively to en- ,gagethe free end of the plunger it, said cam member being keyed to a control shaft 8! which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bore in casing section E and in a bearing member 32 secured to said casing section. The operating shaft and cam may be operated through the medium of a handle 84. I

In order to permit rapid and positive charging of the-brake pipe in effecting a release of the brakes, the valve portion 8 is provided with a full-release device, which is operable through the medium of the control shaft 8|.

The full-release device comprises a valve 36 disposed in a valve chamber 81', which is connected by way of a passage 83 with the chamber 33 and consequently with the main reservoir 43, said valve being provided with a hollow stem 9! slidably mounted in a suitable bore in a cap nut 32 having screw-threaded connection with the casing for closing the outer end of chamber 37. A spring 34 is disposed in chamber Bl between the valve 86 and the cap nut 92 for urging said valve .into engagement with a seat rib 95, which is formed on the casing adjacent a chamber 56. The latter chamber is connected through a passage 91 with the brake pipe passage 2! and contains a plunger 98, one end of which is operatively mounted in the hollow stem 9! by means of a pin Hi! secured to said stem and fitted through a slot H12 in said plunger, and the opposite end of which is slidably mounted in a suitgblelgorein the casing, extending into the cham- The plunger 98 carries a collar I03, and a spring lii i disposed Within the hollow stem 9i acts against the end of said plunger and normally holds said collar in sealing engagement with a seat formed on the casing at the inner end of the plunger bore, thereby preventing leakage of fluid under pressure between chamber l5 and 96. A cam face We is provided on cam member l9, operatively aligned with the, plunger 98 and adapted to engage said plunger in full release position of the brake valve device as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

An emergency brake pipe exhaust device is provided in the valve portion 8, adapted to permit a complete reduction in brake pipe pressure. This device comprises an exhaust valve #06 contained in a chamber ml, which communicates with chamber 56 through a passage I88, and carried by an operating plunger Hill which is slidably mounted in an apertured wall H3. The exhaust valve is adapted to control a communication from chamber Hi! to a chamber ill, which chamber is open to atmosphere by way of a passage H3, a spring H2 being provided in chamber M l for normally holding said valve seated. A cam HM, which is keyed to the control shaft adjacent the emergency device, is adapted operatively to engage the free end of the plunger H39 upon movement of the brake valve handle into emergency position.

With the brake valve device in running position as shown in the drawing, the cam 30 bears against the free end of the plunger 15 and thereby positions the pivotally connected lever 23 so that said lever maintains inlet valve 45 unseated through the medium of roller '56, member 3%, and stem 52, while holding vent valve 66 seated on seat 63 by means of roller T! and stem 14. It should be understood that the compression value of the inlet valve spring 53 is greater than that of vent valve spring H, and that the compression value of the metering spring 59 is greater than the combined compression values of springs 53 and H. With the inlet valve 45 maintained unseated. the pressure chamber 55 and connected chamber 53 are charged with fluid atthe usual reduced pressure as supplied by the feed valve device 5! by way of the volume reservoir 43, pipe and passage 41, chamber 46, and past the fluted stem 52.

It will be apparent that, by adjusting the metering spring 59 for the maximum pressure to be carried in chamber 85, which may preferably be '70 lb. per sq. in., the feed valve device 55 and volume reservoir 48 might be omitted. Because, however, of the tendency inherent in a selflapping valve structure to wire-draw or restrict the feed of fluid as its pressure approaches maximum, the feed valve device is preferably provided for supplying fluid at the 70 lb. per sq. in, maximum pressure, the metering spring 58 being adjusted for a pressure sufficiently under the maximum, or in this case, 67 lb. per sq. in., thereby obviating the above difficulty.

Fluid under pressure supplied to the piston chamber #3 acts against and moves the equaliz-- ing piston H inwardly, i. e., in a direction toward the right-hand, thereby causing stem 24 to shift 34 past the grooved stem to valve chamber 20 at arate faster than it can be supplied to said valve chamber by way of choked passage 36. Fluid pressure on the outer side of the valve piston 30 is thus released so as to unload said valve piston, which can then be unseated by a relatively small pressure at its end. With valve piston 30 unseated, fluid under pressure is supplied from the main reservoir 43 through pipe and passage 42, chamber 33, and past the valve piston to chamber 20, and thence through passage and pipe 2| to the brake pipe 22, charging said brake pipe. At the same time, fluid under pressure is supplied from the passage 2| through restricted passage 23 to the chamber l2.

As the pressure of fluid building up in brake pipe 22 and in the connected chamber l2 approaches that maintained in chamber 15 by operation of the feed valve device 5|, the pressures acting on opposite sides of the piston H are gradually equalized. The pressure of spring 38 acting through the medium of piston valve 30, member 21, and stem 24 then causes piston II to move inwardly, thereby permitting said piston valve to seal against the seat rib 31, shutting off further supply of fluid under pressure from the main reservoir to the brake pipe.

Should leakage of fluid from the brake pipe 22 subsequently reduce the fluid pressure in said brake pipe and consequently in chamber l2 below that maintained in chamber 15, the pressure of said chamber l5 will again move the'equalizing piston ll outwardly, causing the piston valve 30 to be unseated, so as to supply fluid under pressure from the main reservoir 43 to said brake pipe in the manner hereinbefore described, until the opposing pressures acting against said equalizing piston are again equalized.

It will thus be evident that the relay valve device in the valve portion 8 is operative to maintain the brake pipe constantly charged with fluid from the main reservoir at a pressure corresponding to that maintained in chamber l5 by the feed valve and by the self-lapping valve mechanism in the regulating portion I.

If it is desired to effect a service application of the brakes, the handle 84 is moved to rotate the shaft 8|, thereby turning the cam face to the desired position within the service zone on the brake valve quadrant, so that said cam face withdraws sufficiently, relative to the plunger 15, to permit movement of said plunger to the right and operation of they self-lapping valve mechanism. The spring 53, being stronger than spring 1!, then moves the stem 52 inwardly, tilting lever 13 about the roller H as a fulcrum until the inlet valve 45 engages a seat 55, whereupon spring II is permitted to move stem 10 inwardly, swinging lever 13 about roller 16, and unseating the vent valve 66. With the vent valve unseated, fluid under pressure is vented from chamber [5 by way of passage 65, valve chamber 64, passage 68, chamber 51, and passage 58 to atmosphere. Upon the consequent reduction of fluid pressure in chamber I5, the spring 59 acts to move the piston 56 inwardly until valve seat 63 is brought into engagement with the exhaust valve 66, which is positioned by the cam mechanism, thus lapping said valve and checking further reduction of fluid pressure in chamber l5.

The reduction of fluid pressure in chamber l5 and the connected chamber I3 permits the brake pipe pressure acting in chamber l2 to operate the equalizing piston ll, moving discharge valve 25 through the medium of stem 24 toward the left-.

hand until the port 28 registers with passage 29. Fluid under pressure is then discharged from brake pipe 22 by way of pipe and passage 2!, valve chamber 20, port 28, passage 29, and passage 39 to atmosphere, the consequent reduction in brake pipe pressure effecting a service application of the brakes in the usual manner. When the pressure of fluid in the brake pipe has reduced sufficiently, the fluid pressure bottled up in chamber l5 moves piston ll toward the righthand, thereby sliding the discharge valve to close the communication from the valve chamber 20 to atmosphere.

In order to effect a graduated release of the brakes, the handle 84 is gradually moved toward release position in several successive steps, each step efi'ecting a further partial increase in brake pipe pressure, so that the graduated release type triple valve devices are thereby so controlled as to permit the braking force to be graduated off in accordance with the deceleration of the train.

When the handle 84 is thus moved from an application position toward release position, the cam face 88 is rotated against the plunger 15, thereby forcing said plunger and the pivotally connected lever 13 outwardly, and through operation of said lever causing the roller 16 to move member 49, and stem 52 outwardly, unseating the inlet valve 45. With the inlet valve unseated, fluid under pressure is supplied from the main reservoir through the medium of feed valve device 5| to the volume reservoir 48 and thence through pipe and passage 41, valve chamber 46, and past valve 45 and fluted stem 52 to the chamber I 5. The pressure of chamber l5 then increases and the piston 56 is consequently moved outwardly against the pressure 01' spring 59, the lever 13 at the same time being operated by spring 53 acting through the medium of inlet valve 45, stem 52, member 49 and roller 16, to permit said inlet valve to move toward the seat 55. The inlet valve will thus be seated to close oiT further supply of fluid under pressure to chamber l5 upon the build-up of pressure in said chamber corresponding to the position of the cam 80.

As the fluid pressure in chamber l5 and connected chamber I3 increases, the equalizing piston I I is moved outwardly, said piston, through the medium of piston stem 24 and member 21,

operating pilot valve 5 to unload valve piston 30 and effecting the unseating of said valve piston. Fluid under pressure is then supplied from main reservoir 43 through. pipe and passage 42,chamber 33,past the open valve to chamber 20, and thence through passage and pipe 2| to the brake pipe 22, and also by way of restricted passage 23 to the chamber l2. Upon the equalization of the pressure of fluid in the brake pipe and in the connected chamber I2 with that in chamber IS, the springs II! and 38 are enabled to seat pilot valve H5 and piston valve 30 respectively, the member 21', stem 24, and equalizing piston H being shifted inwardly.

It will be evident that the brake pipe pressure may be further increased by moving the brake valve handle 84 a further step toward full release position, when the above described operation will be repeated.

If the handle 84 is moved to full release position, the cam member 19 is rotated so that cam face I operatively engages the free end of the plunger 98 of the full release device and moves said plunger initially against the opposing pressure of spring I34 until the pin IOI engages hollow stem 98 at the limit of slot I02. Further movement of the cam then unseats valve 86 against the pressure of spring 94, permitting fluid at main reservoir pressure to flow from chamber 33 through passage 88, chamber 81, past the unseated release valve, through chamber 95, and passage 91 to the brake pipe passage 2|, thereby insuring rapid charging of the brake pipe.

It will be noted. that the self-lapping valve mechanism in the regulating portion 1 is adapted to control brake pipe pressure through a service application range which may preferably be from 67 lb. per sq. in. pressure to 35 lb. per sq. in., thus permitting a brake pipe reduction adequate to insure a maximum service application of the brakes. To effect a complete reduction of the pressure of fluid in the brake pipe, the handle 84 is moved to emergency position in which the cam I l t is turned into operative engagement with the stem H39 of emergency valve I06, said valve being thereby unseated against the pressure of spring H2. With valve 36 held unseated, fluid under pressure is vented at an emergency rate from brake pipe 22 by way of pipe and passage 2|, passage 97, chamber 96 .passage Hi8, chamber IGT, past said valve, and through chamber HI and passage l i3 to atmosphere. To release the brakes following an emergency application, the handle 8 is moved to full release position, thereby effecting the full release operation as hereinbefore described.

The brake valve device constructed according to my invention is thus adapted to control the application and release of the brakes in a fluid pressure brake system having a graduated release function, and is automatically operative to prevent undesired reductions in brake pipe pressure, such as might be caused by brake pipe leakage. It will be clear that my brake valve device may also be used in connection with a fluid pressure brake system of the usual type, since it is capable of effecting substantially all the operative functions controlled by an ordinary brake valve designed for such a system.

While one illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit its scope to that embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, a reduction in fluid pressure in which is operative to effect an application of the brakes, of a brake valve device comprising a casing having a chamber, self-lapping valve means for supplying fluid to said chamber at a pressure depending upon the extent of movement of the brake Valve device, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake pipe according to the pressure of fluid supplied to said chamber.

2. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, a reduction in fluid pressure in which is operative to effect an application of the brakes, of a brake valve device comprising a, casing having a chamber, self-lapping valve means for supplying fluid to said chamber at a pressure depending upon the extent of movement of the brake valve device, and valve means subject to the opposing pressuresof said chamher and the brake pipe for supplying fluid under pressure to said brake pipe.

3. In a fluid pressure brake, in combination, a

main reservoir, a brake pipe, a reduction in fluid pressure in which is operative to effect an application of the brakes, a brake valve device comprising means for supplying and releasing fluid under pressure to and from the brake pipe corresponding with the fluid pressure in a chamber and according to the position of the brake valve device, and independent valve means operative in one position of the brake valve device for also supplying fluid under pressure from the main reservoir to the brake pipe.

4. In a fluid pressure brake, in combination, a main reservoir, a brake pipe, a reduction in fluid pressure in which is operative to effect an application of the brakes, a brake valve device comprising means for supplying and releasing fluid under pressure to and from the brake pipe corresponding with the fluid pressure in a chamber and according to the position of the brake valve device, valve means operative in one position of the brake valve device for supplying fluid under pressure from the main reservoir to the brake pipe, and other valve means operative in another position of the brake valve device for venting fluid under pressure from the brake pipe.

5. In a fluid pressure brake, in combination, a brake pipe, a main reservoir, a supply reservoir, a feed valve device for supplying fluid under pressure from the main reservoir at a reduced pressure to said supply reservoir, and a brake valve device for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake pipe in accordance with the pressure in a chamber and having valve means for controlling the supply'of fluid under pressure from said supply reservoir to said chamber.

6. In a fluid pressure brake, in combination, a brake pipe, a main reservoir, a supply reservoir, a feed valve device for supplying fluid under pressure from the main reservoir at a reduced pressure to said supply reservoir, and a brake valve device for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake pipe in accordance with the pressure in a chamber and having self-lapping valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said supply reservoir to said chamber at a pressure dependent upon the extent of movement of the brake valve device.

7. In a fluid pressure brake, in combination, a brake pipe, a reduction in pressure in which is adapted to effect an application of the brakes, a valve device subject to the opposing pressures of the brake pipe and a chamber for controlling the supply and release of fluid under pressure to and from the brake pipe, and a brake valve device movable to different positions for varying the fluid pressure in said chamber according to such movement, said brake valve device having independent valve means operative in an emergency position to vent fluid under pressure from said brake pipe.

8. In a fluid pressure brake, in combination, a brake pipe, a reduction in pressure in which is adapted to effect an application of the brakes, a valve device subject to the opposing pressures of the brake pipe and a chamber for controlling the supply and release of fluid under pressure to and from the brake pipe, and a brake valve device movable to different positions for varying the fluid pressure in said chamber according to such movement, said brake valve device having independent valve means operative in an emergency position to vent fluid under pressure from said brake pipe, and other valve means operative in a full release position to supply fluid under pressure to said brake pipe. V

: supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber,

manually operable means for operating said valve means to permit the supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber, a spring, and means subject to the opposing pressures of said spring and said chamber for efiecting the operation of said valve means to cut off the supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber upon a predetermined 5 increase in fluid pressure in said chamber.

CLYDE C. FARMER. 

